Episode 257: In the Bathhouse

"But... are you sure about this? Those two over there haven't been here long, and they're completely unknown. They might just become a burden."

The first to speak was "the Storyteller," Enomoto Kazuha.

"It's fine. To be honest, the reason I gathered everyone here today is... slightly different from our usual topic. It's not about Lyka."

"Oh? Not related to Lyka at all?"

"Nope."

"Then, about the newly trending 'hostile lifeform'—the 'Hungerfolk' and related matters?"

"No. Something far more urgent than that."

"Ah, so it's the 'Infinite Emergence' incident—the one the 'Guardians' have repeatedly warned about?"

"Not a significant threat....Compared to what I'm about to discuss, that pales in comparison."

Plop plop plop plop...

The sound of bubbles in the jet stream's water-filled flow could be heard.

Tsuuri and Asuka remained silent, fully focused on their observation.

"Then, what else could there possibly be...?"

A soft, melodic voice—like a songstress—echoed through the bathhouse. It was precise, delicate, as if unwrapping a present one layer at a time.

"Probably a cold shower to everyone else. I’m just sharing information I acquired through my own channels."

My own channels.

In the end, I couldn't help but doubt the memories of my past life.

"What... is that?"

"A nuclear missile."

The air grew utterly still. It was like being asked what the dinner was tonight and being answered with "Komodo dragon steak"—something you might know about, but far too surreal to be sitting on the table.

"Aha, hehe, hehehehe. Is that a joke? A prank-style new project? Is the camera rolling?"

The "laughing princess," still wearing an amused expression, glanced around her.

"It's no prank. Relax. My words are absolutely, completely real."

"Ehe, hehehe. But where in the world would they have something like that..."

"Just call it the superpower of the East."

"America?"

"Don't say it. I deliberately left it vague, didn't I?"

Near where Potch and the "Laughter Princess" were, splashing sounds could be heard. In addition, there was the distinct bubbling sound—poku poku poku—different from the jets of a jacuzzi.

"The end of the world!"

Then, a wild, crazed laughter echoed through the bathhouse. It sounded like playfulness, yet also as if someone had truly lost their mind.

Next, it was the turn of the "Commentary Princess," who was soaking in the bath just beside Tsumuri.

"But why? According to what I heard, every country's got their hands full dealing with their own problems."

Hakka sent what seemed like a chilly glance toward the small girl,

"Probably some someone leaked the information. The global crisis happening right now—this crisis affecting all of humanity—it's likely something being done by someone within this country… probably one of us 'players,' I'd say."

"So, to solve the crisis at its root, you just fire nuclear weapons... That's utterly idiotic logic. Did the so-called advanced nations of the past really resort to such simplistic thinking?"

"Just to clarify, the missile launch wasn't due to national consensus or anything like that. I think it was just the reckless actions of a small group of antisocial forces... I didn't see it myself, nor did any TV commentator explain it, so it's not entirely accurate. But I swear to God, that... is... coming... for... sure."

"Uh-huh."

Ironically, she's become the storyteller.

"...How many?"

"Just one."

"Where will it hit?"

"I can guide you there."

"What kind of missile is it?"

"I don't know. It'll come down from space, like an asteroid."

"When will it hit?"

"Six days from now—August 31, 2015. The last day of summer break."

"How do you know this?"

"Corporate secret... Well, as a hint, it uses the power of the 'Spatial-Temporal' system."

"Have you contacted Central Office?"

"No need for them. With all defense systems discarded now, they'd only be in the way."

"I see... quite so..."

A silence settled between the girls.

At that moment, Sōri realized, "It seems the 'Princesses' haven't been informed about the matter of 'reincarnation' after all."

Hakka likely learned about the missiles because she had experienced them once before in her previous life.

"C-can't stay here like this! Hehe, hehehehe. Gotta evacuate!"

The first to move was the "Laughing Princess."

She walked across the tiled floor in a wide-legged stance, passing right in front of Sutori and the others.

It was the "Commentary Princess" who called out to her.

"Going to tell your boyfriend?"

"That's got nothing to do with it."

"Your fans would cry and get mad if they heard that."

I-I-I never wanted to be an idol, they just arbitrarily put me on a pedestal! I do what I want, with whomever I want, whenever I want! Hehe, hehe, hehe...

Well, calm down.

The man, who seemed nothing but a virgin to others, laughed heartily, as if befitting a prominent figure.

"Before that, we should at least figure out where to run to... right, Hakka-san?"

I'm sorry, but that can't be revealed until the very last moment.

"...Why?"

"If even one person escapes from here, the plan will surely fail."

"Hmm."

Then, Hakka-san abruptly stood up from the jacuzzi, moved to the center where the girls were watching, and took a firm stance.

For a moment—overwhelmed by a beauty that transcended gender, Ten宫 Tsumuri gasped in awe. No doubt everyone present at that moment had the same thought.

"The key to the operation is my benefactor—'Teacher.' With her 'Ultimate Sword X,' she'll cut through the nuclear missile and neutralize it."

Silence fell once more.

While the carefree "Singer" wore a relaxed smile, thinking, "It feels like it might work," the "Storyteller" wore a complicated expression.

"...There are plenty of things to object to, but first of all, if the impact point deviates even slightly from the prediction, it's over."

"Let's use the 'Gambler's' Dream Dice Roll there."

"But there's still a chance the 'Teacher' might not be at full health."

"I believe in you, the 'Miracle Worker,' to keep your condition in check."

"Isn't it too risky to rely solely on individual concentration?"

"Isn't that exactly when MIZUKI's 'Song of Battle' should take the stage?"

"Generally speaking, there's no guarantee that Ryka won't pull something on that particular day."

"Let's have the 'playboy' get moving in preparation. — Hey, Nanami? Could you organize a little parade on the day? We could even treat shooting down a nuclear missile as part of the event."

Poko poko poko poko...

The sound of a jet bus.

After a brief pause, the "Storyteller" finally spoke her last question.

"...I assume missiles travel at incredible speeds—something like seven kilometers per second when entering the atmosphere, if I recall correctly."

"With my *Spatial-Temporal Magic*, I can slow a missile down to one-tenth of its speed."

"Even then, it's faster than a bullet."

"Rest assured," the master's blade can cut through rifle bullets traveling at hundreds of meters per second."

Then, Hakuha gave a wink to Zonri and the others,

"That's surely something the two of them over there can guarantee."